Discolored water may flow through some Asheville pipes

As crews continue to work on an aging Asheville pipe infrastructure, officials warn customers may soon see discolored water flowing through their faucets.

Customers in the Asheville and Buncombe County areas may see discolored water in the next few days and weeks because crews are using cameras inside of the main water lines to evaluate their condition, which is stirring up sediment in the pipes.

The pipe infrastructure is between 50 and 90 years old, and is responsible for delivering an average of 16.5 million gallons of water to the area on a daily basis. The work could cause discolored water through mid to late March, officials said.

Customers who experience discolored water are asked to report it by calling the Customer Services division at 828-251-1122. Crews will flush the system where needed to help clear the discolored water in the reported area.

Officials said the water is safe for cleaning, hand washing and bathing but is not recommended for cooking and drinking. However, a boil water advisory has not been issued, and so far testing does not show that pathogens entered the system.

The water may cause stains, so customers are advised not to use the discolored water when washing clothes.

If a customer's water is discolored, they may try to run their faucets for a short period of time to rid the pipes of the water, but once the water has entered a hot water tank, it may take even longer to return to normal, officials said.

Filters and faucet screens should also be checked for sediment build up. Once water is a normal color, it is safe for all uses.